Jimmy Kimmel apologizes for gay jokes amid Sean Hannity feud

“While I admit I did have fun with our back and forth, after some thought, I realize that the level of vitriol from all sides (mine and me include) does nothing good for anyone, and is in fact harmful to our country,” Kimmel. the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” said Sunday afternoon in a statement.

The war of words began when earlier this week when Hannity called out Kimmel for making fun of first lady Melania Trump on his ABC show Monday. Kimmel’s jokes centered on her participation at the White House Easter Egg Roll and her Eastern European accent.

Hannity called Kimmel a ”dispicable disgrace” and “ass clown,” among other things.

Kimmel and Hannity broadened their war of words to the Twitterverse, during which Kimmel tweeted a sexually suggestive photo-shopped picture of Hannity with a clown, which he later deleted.

He also tweeted in response to some of Hannity tweets: “When your clown makeup rubs off on Trump’s ass, does it make his butt look like a Creamsicle?” and “Don’t worry – just keep tweeting – you’ll get back on top! (or does Trump prefer you on bottom?) Either way, keep your chin up big fella..XO.”

These tweets drew backlash, with critics calling them homophobic.

On Sunday, Kimmel tagged Hannity in his apology statement, and said his wife and son have received “shocking” attacks.

“By lampooning Sean Hannity’s deference to the President, I most certainly did not intend to belittle or upset members of the gay community and to those who took offense, I apologize,” Kimmel said.

After spending an extended amount of time on his show Friday slinging insults at Kimmel and going through old comedy sketches, pre-“Jimmy Kimmel Live” where, for instance, he pranked people by walking up to them with a fake erection, Hannity said on Twitter he would “never stop” the insults until Kimmel apologized for mocking Melania Trump.

Kimmel said Sunday he will take Hannity “at his word” about being offended by his Melania Trump jokes, which he added he “still” thinks were harmless.

Kimmel said he hopes Hannity “will learn from this too.”

Hannity sent a brief reply on Twitter within the hour, saying he’ll offer a “comprehensive response” on his evening Fox News program on Monday.